Funky Smell in Ductwork - Home Energy Pros2015-08-02T23:03:10Zhttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/forum/topics/funky-smell-in-ductwork?x=1&id=6069565%3ATopic%3A97278&feed=yes&xn_auth=noColin,
The HOs are super-bus…tag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2012-11-21:6069565:Comment:988252012-11-21T16:52:26.562ZPatrick Michaelyanhttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/PatrickMichaelyan
<p>Colin,</p>
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<p>The HOs are super-busy around the holidays so they have not had the time yet to have me back in their house since the initial visit.</p>
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<p>I will def follow-up after I get back into their house.</p>
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<p>Happy Thanksgiving all!</p>
<p>Colin,</p>
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<p>The HOs are super-busy around the holidays so they have not had the time yet to have me back in their house since the initial visit.</p>
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<p>I will def follow-up after I get back into their house.</p>
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<p>Happy Thanksgiving all!</p> Hi Patrick, just curious if y…tag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2012-11-21:6069565:Comment:987432012-11-21T00:21:23.609ZColin Choneyhttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/ColinChoney
<p>Hi Patrick, just curious if you ever determined what was causing the smell and what the solution was to correct the issue</p>
<p>Hi Patrick, just curious if you ever determined what was causing the smell and what the solution was to correct the issue</p> Thanks a lot Kevin.
I will s…tag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2012-11-17:6069565:Comment:986352012-11-17T12:31:40.829ZPatrick Michaelyanhttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/PatrickMichaelyan
<p>Thanks a lot Kevin.</p>
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<p>I will soon take all of these recommendations to the HOs, and then work with my HVAC partners to hopefully resolve this issue.</p>
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<p>I'll follow-up if and when we resolve this issue.</p>
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<p>Thanks a lot Kevin.</p>
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<p>I will soon take all of these recommendations to the HOs, and then work with my HVAC partners to hopefully resolve this issue.</p>
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<p>I'll follow-up if and when we resolve this issue.</p>
<p></p> Obviously all of the prior re…tag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2012-11-16:6069565:Comment:987162012-11-16T16:44:11.968ZKevin DeBordhttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/KevinDeBord
<p>Obviously all of the prior recommendations could be correct however there is another possibility. In the HVAC industry it's typically referred to as "Dirty Sock Syndrome". It occurs in heat pumps and shows up in the heating cycle. The smell is the result of microbial growth on the indoor coil. Typical treatment options involve cleaning the coil. Some of the most effective methods are a three step process that involves cleaning the coil, then treating it with an anti-microbial agent and a…</p>
<p>Obviously all of the prior recommendations could be correct however there is another possibility. In the HVAC industry it's typically referred to as "Dirty Sock Syndrome". It occurs in heat pumps and shows up in the heating cycle. The smell is the result of microbial growth on the indoor coil. Typical treatment options involve cleaning the coil. Some of the most effective methods are a three step process that involves cleaning the coil, then treating it with an anti-microbial agent and a coil coating that inhibits growth on the coil. In many cases this must be repeated every year or two. A quality UV light properly installed and maintained can kill the organisms and prevent them from returning. Of course this is more effective if the coil is cleaned and treated first.</p>
<p>There are several chemical companies that have effective products for this issue; NuCalgon and Atlanta Chemical are two of them.</p> I had funky smell in my ductw…tag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2012-11-08:6069565:Comment:981352012-11-08T14:34:09.327ZTal segalhttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/Talsegal
<p>I had funky smell in my ductwork too,</p>
<p>my HVAC tech fixed my ductwork but the smell didnt go away, i bought 2 unit of dual lamp uv germicidal and the moldy smell start go away! its really work.</p>
<p>i reseach prices arroud for the dual unit, and i find the best one on ebay, here is the link…</p>
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<p>I had funky smell in my ductwork too,</p>
<p>my HVAC tech fixed my ductwork but the smell didnt go away, i bought 2 unit of dual lamp uv germicidal and the moldy smell start go away! its really work.</p>
<p>i reseach prices arroud for the dual unit, and i find the best one on ebay, here is the link</p>
<p><a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/Air-Purifier-UV-LIGHT-ultraviolet-AC-hvac-dual-lamp-duct-germicidal-kills-mold-/270871810681?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&amp;hash=item3f1137d279">http://www.ebay.com/itm/Air-Purifier-UV-LIGHT-ultraviolet-AC-hvac-dual-lamp-duct-germicidal-kills-mold-/270871810681?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&amp;hash=item3f1137d279</a><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/Air-Purifier-UV-LIGHT-ultraviolet-hvac-dual-lamp-duct-kills-mold-allergy-germ-/280771795894?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&amp;hash=item415f4d9bb6"><br/></a></p>
<p></p> Thank your sir.
I'll make su…tag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2012-11-06:6069565:Comment:981012012-11-06T20:28:15.534ZPatrick Michaelyanhttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/PatrickMichaelyan
<p>Thank your sir.</p>
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<p>I'll make sure to follow up.</p>
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<p>Thank your sir.</p>
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<p>I'll make sure to follow up.</p>
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<p></p> Open sewer vent during blower…tag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2012-11-05:6069565:Comment:977452012-11-05T15:00:38.800ZCurt Kinderhttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/CurtKinder
<p>Open sewer vent during blower door test...been there, done that...yuk! In my case, plumbing fixtures were not yet installed so I taped over the openings so I could keep down my lunch.</p>
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<p>Agree that wall cavity joists are an energy disaster, also a fire hazard. If nothing else, perform a ductblaster test to highlight the leakage almost certainly occurring.</p>
<p>Open sewer vent during blower door test...been there, done that...yuk! In my case, plumbing fixtures were not yet installed so I taped over the openings so I could keep down my lunch.</p>
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<p>Agree that wall cavity joists are an energy disaster, also a fire hazard. If nothing else, perform a ductblaster test to highlight the leakage almost certainly occurring.</p> Patrick, two thoughts:
1. I m…tag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2012-11-05:6069565:Comment:978472012-11-05T12:48:34.024ZDick Meyerhttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/DickMeyer
<p>Patrick, two thoughts:</p>
<p>1. I mistakenly said that AAV's should be installed horizontally. It's just the opposite, should be vertically.</p>
<p>2. If the owner elects to try to seal the existing pan-joists, perhaps a one-part foam would be the best answer as I'm sure that neither mastic nor tape are tested or approved for metal to wood or drywall contact.</p>
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<p>Good luck! Would be interested to see you come back and tell us the outcome of the story.</p>
<p>Patrick, two thoughts:</p>
<p>1. I mistakenly said that AAV's should be installed horizontally. It's just the opposite, should be vertically.</p>
<p>2. If the owner elects to try to seal the existing pan-joists, perhaps a one-part foam would be the best answer as I'm sure that neither mastic nor tape are tested or approved for metal to wood or drywall contact.</p>
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<p>Good luck! Would be interested to see you come back and tell us the outcome of the story.</p> I hear you Dick.
I was not h…tag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2012-11-05:6069565:Comment:977382012-11-05T00:20:53.787ZPatrick Michaelyanhttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/PatrickMichaelyan
<p>I hear you Dick.</p>
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<p>I was not happy to see the pan-joisted return ducts, and I made this known to the homeowner. I think this homeowner is a smart cat, and will do what is required to resolve this situation, especially if I tell him that we may be facing a dangerous issue.</p>
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<p>As for the sealing of the pan-joisted return ducts, I am a firm believer in the power of duct mastic. Ideally one would replace such ducts (as you mention), but I take what I can…</p>
<p>I hear you Dick.</p>
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<p>I was not happy to see the pan-joisted return ducts, and I made this known to the homeowner. I think this homeowner is a smart cat, and will do what is required to resolve this situation, especially if I tell him that we may be facing a dangerous issue.</p>
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<p>As for the sealing of the pan-joisted return ducts, I am a firm believer in the power of duct mastic. Ideally one would replace such ducts (as you mention), but I take what I can get.</p>
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<p>Thanks Dick!</p> I hope not. Pan-joisted retu…tag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2012-11-05:6069565:Comment:976502012-11-05T00:03:54.961ZDick Meyerhttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/DickMeyer
<p>I hope not. Pan-joisted return ducts are the leakiest of the leakiest ducts. A very bad idea. I think the first priority here is to find the source of the obnoxious and dangerous fumes and the second is to figure out how to seal the return. Hopefully the return is not too long and you can convince the owner to replace it with a conventional duct with all seams sealed with mastic. Short of that, you could try house wrap tape, but to me, that's a distant second choice.</p>
<p>I hope not. Pan-joisted return ducts are the leakiest of the leakiest ducts. A very bad idea. I think the first priority here is to find the source of the obnoxious and dangerous fumes and the second is to figure out how to seal the return. Hopefully the return is not too long and you can convince the owner to replace it with a conventional duct with all seams sealed with mastic. Short of that, you could try house wrap tape, but to me, that's a distant second choice.</p>